A tart, ruby-red coloured berry which grows wild on shrubs throughout northern Europe and North…

Method

Put the dried fruit into a large bowl, add 2 tbsp brandy and the sugar, then cover with cling film. Microwave on High for 2 mins until the sugar has melted and the fruit plumped up. Give it a stir, then leave to cool and soak overnight. If you’re short of time, carry on with step 2 and leave to soak for as long as it takes to complete step 2.

Put the cream, remaining brandy and icing sugar into a large bowl and whip to soft peaks. Pour the custard into another bowl and fold the cream into it. Tip into a freezer container and freeze the mix for 4 hrs, stirring the frozen edges into the rest of the mixture every hour or so until the whole tub is soft, but frozen (or use an ice cream machine, churning for 20-30 mins until thick). Meanwhile, line a 1.2-litre pudding basin with cling film.

Once the ice cream mix is thick, quickly fold the soaked fruit (and any liquid from it) and frozen cranberries through it and spoon into the lined basin. Freeze overnight or for at least 6 hrs. To serve, leave bombe at room temperature for 10 mins and turn out onto a serving plate.

To make the cranberry brandy butter sauce, in a heavy-based pan gently heat muscovado sugar and butter until the sugar dissolves.

Splash in brandy, add cranberries and boil gently till the cranberries pop, but still hold their shape and colour the sauce. If you want to, sieve the seeds out of the sauce and add some more cranberries for a really glossy finish. Serve hot or warm.

Ads by Google

Comments, questions and tips

I made this last year and it was yummy. The frozen cranberries in the mixture are not great. Just use them for the sauce. I dont like brandy either but I used it anyway and it worked really well.
I made them as individual little ice cream puds by freezing them in left over yoghurt pots. They were a real treat!

annabf

9th Dec, 2011

I am going to make this for Christmas Day, can I make it now and freeze? Or will it keep in the fridge?

brandewyn

20th Dec, 2010

5.05

Made this for Christmas dinner last year. Was an absolute success, was well loved by all. A fantastic alternative to Christmas pudding, which can sometimes be too much after a big Christmas Dinner.

grainger

5th Feb, 2009

Tastes wonderful, but found it very tricky to present at the table, and then to cut into. Have since made the recipe and transferred into an ice cream tub, to serve as an extra special ice cream with brandy snap cases - yummy!!

nicolarogers

22nd Dec, 2008

Made this today - licked the bowl and it tasted scrummy! Can't wait to eat the rest on Christmas day.

kirstyloates

3rd Nov, 2008

i would love to try this recipe, but don't like brandy, could i use a different drink, that would still make this a great dish!!

carlaamanda69

22nd Feb, 2008

Made this at christmas. Mmmmm!LOL I did find the frozen cranberries a bit hard so I may just cook them a little before adding them to the mix the next time I try it to see how that turns out.
The drivers in my house on Boxing day were a little concerned tho at the amount of booze in it!LOL

mollymolly

2nd Dec, 2007

I made this last Christmas - it was lovely. It does feed quite a lot though. I'm making it again this year but gave all my old magazines to the doctors surgery so I am so glad old recipes are available on here!

karenpoynter

29th Nov, 2007

5.05

made many times always loved .very easy

Be the first to ask a question about this recipe...Unsure about the cooking time or want to swap an ingredient? Ask us your questions and we’ll try and help you as soon as possible. Or if you want to offer a solution to another user’s question, feel free to get involved...

Reader offer: £10 off + 2 free craft beers

Skills & know how

As well as helping you decide what to cook we can also help you to cook it. From tips on cookery techniques to facts and information about health and nutrition, we’ve a wealth of foodie know how for you to explore.

About BBC Good Food

We’re all about good recipes, and about quality home cooking that everyone can enjoy. Whether you’re looking for some healthy inspiration or learning how to cook a decadent dessert, we’ve trustworthy guidance for all your foodie needs.

Our recipes

All our recipes are tested thoroughly by us to make sure they’re suitable for your kitchen at home. We know many of you are concerned about healthy eating, so we send them to a qualified nutritionist for thorough analysis too.

This website is made by BBC Worldwide.

BBC Worldwide is a commercial company that is owned by the BBC (and just the BBC). No money from the licence fee was used to create this page. The profits we make from it go back to BBC programme-makers to help fund great new BBC programmes.